The Clergy and the Political Environment in our Nation
Cardinal Tumi & Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku Speak One Language.

The two leading prelates of the Roman Catholic Church and Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) have in separate declarations stated that it is imperative and incumbent for the Church to take very strong positions on the political situation in Cameroon.

Christian Cardinal Tumi, who is the Archbishop of the Douala Archdiocese, was reacting to questions related to his recent publication, The Political Regimes of Ahmadou Ahidjo, Paul Biya and Christian Tumi , while speaking to the press about his imminent retirement. Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku was speaking on the eve of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the PCC.

On the Church and Politics

Christian Cardinal Tumi held that the Church cannot keep quiet when a political party or political opinion goes against the Christian values that the church stands for. According to this outspoken pastor, speaking on politics is expressing one's opinions, not playing politics. A priest in the Catholic Church is not supposed to militate in any political or stand for elections without authorization from his superior, the Cardinal added, but according to his Eminence, if the Church were to stand aside silently and while the fabric of society is being torn, she will be culpable before God for negligence of its divine mission.

For Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku, Moderator of the PCC, it would be difficult for the Church to stay out of politics and still carry out proper evangelisation. One cannot preach without condemning what is wrong. As president of the All African Council of Churches (AACC), he and the Council have taken an initiative to intervene in the political process in Zimbabwe; quoting the gospel of Ezekiel: "I've appointed you watchman of society." Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku continued, "we will even be as daring as Bishop Ncube of Zimbabwe if found in the same situation and we expect many church leaders in this country should do a lot more than they are doing." The learned man of God holds that the church stands for the truth which is very different from what politics stands for. Politicians, he said, are capable of looking at a truth and call it a lie and vice versa. In Cameroon, like in the rest of Africa, politicians are prepared to defend even the guilty, he concluded.

On the Current Political Situation in our Nation

Commenting on the last July 22 twin polls, Cardinal Tumi said that he has always been pessimistic about the organization of elections in Cameroon. He maintained that he told many before the last elections that nothing can change through elections in Cameroon. His views on the political situation in Cameroon are articulated in his recent book The Political Regimes of Ahmadou Ahidjo, Paul Biya and Christian Tumi in which as he puts it, he is only replying to accusations that have been levied against it.

On the last July 22 twin polls, Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku holds that the process was peaceful, and he was delighted to see that transparent boxes were used. However, he regretted that the ink used was not indelible. He regretted the unfortunate skirmishes in Buea. He however condemned all forms of rigging because they belittle Cameroon. He further revealed that the PCC is encouraging the government for its "Greater Achievements" programme because it has the welfare of the population at heart. He will only be disappointed if results are not realized.

Speaking one language

Both clerics are firm on the position of the church vis-à-vis issues like corruption, human rights abuses, and promotion of economic and social injustice. They will not hesitate to condemn anyone condoning these ills. Quoting Jomo Kenyatta to make his point, Tumi concludes that if men of God do not criticise politicians when they go wrong, they will answer for it before God. Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku on his part simply stated that the church must get more engaged in the political life of the nation. "We cannot stay aloof and leave politics to politicians and the church to church people he concluded," an obvious allusion to President Biya's declaration that politics should be left to politicians.

Rev. Christopher Anyambod on Corruption

Also speaking on the eve of the Golden Jubilee of the PCC, renowned and respectable religious scholar, Rev. Prof Christopher Anyambod, has declared that corruption is a crime against humanity. He made the declaration over CRTV's early morning talk show, Morning Safari. According to Rev. Anyambod, a conference should be organised where all the embezzlers and suspected corrupt officials will be participants. At such a conference, suggestions and decisions will be taken on how to recover all the monies stolen so they are put at the service of the country's social welfare. He went further to suggest that the confiscated buildings and other structures should be turned into social centres or rehabilitation homes for delinquent and homeless children. Rev. Christopher Anyambod is the Rector of the Protestant University of Theology in Yaoundé.